5 Avoidable Pond Liner Mistakes

All ponds start by digging a hole in the earth and then lining it before filling with water. For this reason, a liner is essential as it creates a watertight barrier; preventing the water from seeping back into the earth.

All successful pond projects start with a good waterproof pond liner and a strong, sturdy underlay. We recommend that all pond liners are laid with suitable underlay as extra protection for your liner. Underlay helps to prevent root penetration and punctures from small stones and debris.

To prevent potential issues from occurring, we recommend buying the correct type and thickness of pond liner to meet the demands of your proposed size and reduce the maintenance over its lifetime. Please read on for a few common mistakes that you should avoid.

1. Do not judge liners based on their price (Useful Blogs: Pond Liners and Underlay)

You will need to ensure that the liner you choose is the correct material for your pond needs. All the liners we sell will not deteriorate when exposed to sunlight or UV and they have been specifically chosen because of their reliability and durability in ponds. We can be contacted if you would like to discuss your pond with us so we can help you choose the correct liner. Our range of pond liners can be viewed below and through this link.

We sell 5 main types of pond liner:
• Flexiliner (LDPE): This material has been used in commercial projects since the 1970’s; it is a tightly woven material that has a UV and rot resistant coating, allowing it to be durable and tear resistant.
• PVC: These are PVC liners which are suitable for small to medium ponds; they have excellent flexibility and high puncture resistance because of the material it is made of.
• Greenseal EPDM: This is manufactured using a rubber composite material that gives it great strength and elasticity. It is slightly better than the historically renowned Butyl material, but cheaper because of the manufacturing process. It is not affected by UV.
• Butyl: Butyl is a traditional favourite that has now been superseded by the Greenseal EPDM liner. It is generally used in larger projects that do not have a strict budget. It is made up of a natural rubber composite, which gives it the well renowned durability, but this increases the cost. Like the Greenseal EPDM, it is also not affected by UV.
• Firestone EPDM: Firestone offers a dependable performance for many applications; it is normally used in large industrial projects given its durability. It is the thickest pond liner availability, which also makes it the most durable and UV resistant.

2. Ordering the incorrect size liner and underlay

This is a common problem that will prevent the most immediate problem; not being able to lay the liner. Once you have dug the whole, you need to measure it accurately. The three key measurements you need are length, width, and depth. If your pond is an odd shape, like a kidney shape, you will need the maximum measurements (i.e the maximum length, width, and depth).

You can then put these measurements into our pond liner calculator, but please note that these measurements will have to be in metres. Our Pond Calculator will calculate the liner size you need and it adds an extra metre overlap, to ensure you receive enough liner.

3. Not putting enough underlay beneath your liner

As above, we recommend that all pond liners are installed with suitable underlay. This improves the protection of the liner against roots and small stones / debris.

We sell 2 main types of pond underlay:
• Basic Underlay: This is a budget underlay, providing a good level of protection. It is particularly suitable for smaller ponds or where sand has been laid below the liner to create a smooth surface. It is 60 grams per square metre.
• Fleece Underlay: This is our premium underlay. It is recommended for all ponds, especially ponds being built upon stony or uneven ground or if trees are located nearby. We urge our customers to use this in larger ponds. It is 200 grams per square metre and made up of recycled fibres.

4. Failure to secure the liner edges

When the liner is being installed, you should generously overlap the edges to make sure the pond is watertight. If this overlap is insufficient, water may be able to find its way underneath the pond and this could cause severe problems. You should overlap with any edging material you like; this is an aesthetic choice.

5. Not using a box-welded liner

If your pond design is particularly intricate with lots of vertical sides and sharp angles, you may need to use a box weld. These are rubber liners that have been specifically cut to match your pond dimensions. This means the liner will always fit snugly, they are easy to install and there won’t be any unsightly folds. These are custom made by our manufacturer so you will need to contact us to discuss this option further.

You may also find the below blogs useful:
• Pond Build 2011 Diary
• Common Pond Building Mistakes
• 8 Common Pond Mistakes
• 5 Tips Which Can Make A Big Difference To Your Pond
• How to create a Small Pond using a Container
• How To Create A Custom Waterfall
• Artificial Grass
• Pond Electrics
• Pond Liner Guarantees and Repairs

If you have any queries, please email us on info@pondkeeper.co.uk.